Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa Bilang 344) and its

Amended Implementing Rules and Regulations -

Philippines
Republic of the Philippines
Batasang Pambansa
Fifth Regular Session
Begun and held in Quezon City, Metropolitan Manila, on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of July
nineteen hundred and eighty-two.
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 344

AN ACT TO ENHANCE THE MOBILITY OF DISABLED PERSONS BY REQUIRING

CERTAIN BUILDINGS, INSTITUTIONS, ESTABLISHMENTS AND PUBLIC
UTILITIES TO INSTALL FACILITIES AND OTHER DEVICES.

Rule I - Scope and Application

1. Purpose:
The Rules and Regulations set forth herein provide for minimum requirements and
standards to make buildings, facilities and utilities for public use accessible to disabled
persons, pursuant to the objectives of Batas Pambansa Bilang 344, "An Act To Enhance
the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions,
Establishments and Public Utilities to Install Facilities and Other Devices
2. Definition of Terms:
For the purpose of these Rules and Regulations, the words, terms and phrases
enumerated in Annex "A" hereof shall have the meaning as provided therein.
3. Scope:
The provisions of these Rules and Regulations shall apply to the following:
1. Public and private buildings and related structures for public use and which shall
be constructed, repaired or renovated
2. Streets and highways and public utilities
1. Streets and highways
2. Public transport vehicles which shall include:
1. Passenger buses and jeepneys
2. Passenger trains, including those of the Light Rail Transit
Authority (LRTA)
3. Domestic inter-island vessels
4. Domestic aircraft of air carriers
3. Public Telephones
4. Public transport terminals including those of LRTA
4. Application:
1. Public and private buildings and related structures for public use. No permit for
the construction, repair or renovation of public and private buildings and related
structures for public use, whether owned or leased, shall be granted or issued,
unless the owner thereof shall have provided in the places and specifications
submitted for approval barrier-free facilities and accessibility features as provided
in these Rules and in accordance with the following criteria:
1. Building and related structures to be constructed -
1. At the space where the primary function is served and where
facilities and ingress/egress of the building or structure are
located, as to make such space accessible to the disabled
persons; provided, however, that where the primary function can
 be served at the ingress level and where such level is provided
with facilities, requirements for accessibility at other levels may be
waived.
2. Ten percent (10%) of the total number of units of government-
owned living accommodations shall be accessible and fully usable
by the disabled persons with any fractional part in excess of one-
half (1/2) in the computation thereof, to be considered as one unit;
for privately-owned living accommodations the number of
accessible units shall be as provided in Section 3 of Rule III
thereof.
3. Ingress/egress from the street to the building or structure shall be
made accessible.
4. Accessible slots in parking areas shall be located as near as
possible to ingress/egress spaces of the building or structure.
2. Buildings and related structures to be repaired or renovated including
those proposed for a change of occupancy If feasible, barrier-free
facilities and accessibility features shall be provided in accordance with
the requirements under Sub-section 4.1.1 (1), (c) and (d): feasibility of
incorporation of barrier-free facilities and accessibility features shall be
determined from all the following conditions:
1. When the repair or renovation work is to be done in the space
where the primary function is served;
2. When the facilities can be made accessible at any other level
which is accessible by means of an elevator with a minimum width
of 800 mm;
3. When the space alloted for the primary function will not be
diminished by more than ten percent (10%) of its original area;
4. When the capacity or strength of any major structural component,
such as slabs, beams, girders, columns, bearing walls and
footings of the building or structure will not be diminished;
5. When the cost (exclusive of the exception provided below) of such
repair or renovation work is in excess of twenty percent (20%) of
the total cost of the building or structure, based upon the
computation of permit fees as provided under Rule III of the
Implementing Rules and Regulations promulgated pursuant to
P.D. 1096 entitled: "The National Building Code of the
Philippines";
6. When there is no legal constraint which would not allow
compliance with these regulations:
EXCEPTION: Repair or renovation work which consists only of
heating, ventilating and airconditioning systems, including those
which may be required only with respect to fire panic and
explosion safety for existing spaces, shall not be subject to the
requirements for barrier-free facilities and accessibility features.
2.
1. Streets, highways and transport related structures to be constructed
-Streets, highways and transport related structures shall be provided with
the following barrier-free facilities and accessibility features at every
pedestrian crossing: ramps and other accessible features in buildings of
the sectoral offices and attached agencies of DOTC; transportation
terminals and passenger waiting areas for use of disabled persons;
1. Cut-out curbs and accessible ramps at the sidewalks.
 2. Audio-visual aids for crossing
EXCEPTION: Requirements for accessibility at pedestrian grade
separations or overpasses and underpasses may be waived.

1. Existing streets and highways to be repaired and renovated The

accessibility requirements shall be provided where the portion of existing
streets and highways to be repaired or renovated includes part or the
entire pedestrian crossing.
2. Transport vehicles for public use
1. No license or franchise for the operation of public buses,
passenger boats, ships and domestic airplanes shall be granted or
issued unless the owner or operator thereof shall have provided
and designated the number of seats and shall have placed audio-
visual aids
2. Government instrumentalities operating passenger trains including
the Light Rail Transit Authority shall have provided the number of
seats for disabled persons
3. Government instrumentalities operating passenger airplanes shall
provide and designate the number of seats for disabled persons
and shall likewise place the audio-visual aids
3. Existing Public Transport Vehicles:
The minimum accessibility requirements shall apply to all existing units of
public transport vehicles, and including those units which are to be
repaired and renovated.
4. Public Telephones:
At least one unit of public telephones for every four (4) units shall be
accessible to disabled persons and shall be provided with visual aids
required, provided that if only one (1) public telephone is to be installed in
a particular place the same shall be accessible to disabled persons.
5. Public Transport Terminals
The criteria and accessibility requirements, provided for public and private
buildings and related structures for public use shall apply to public
transport terminals.

Special Standards of Accessibility

Where the requirements for accessibility in the Rules will create an unreasonable hardship in
design/construction, special standards of accessibility through the use of other methods and/or
materials shall be allowed if better facilities can be provided subject to the approval of the
National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons.

RULE II : Minimum Requirements for Accessibility

A. OUTSIDE AND AROUND BUILDINGS

1. DROPPED CURBS
1. Changes in level walkways should be by a dropped curb.
 2. Dropped curbs should be provided at pedestrian crossings and at the end
of walkways of a private street or access road.
3. Dropped curbs at crossings have a width corresponding to the width of
the crossing; otherwise, the minimum width is 0.90 m.
4. Dropped curbs shall be ramped towards adjoining curbs with a gradient
not more than 1:12.
5. Dropped curbs shall be sloped towards the road with a maximum cross
gradient of 1:20 to prevent water from collecting at the walkway.
6. The lowest point of a dropped curb should not exceed 25 mm from the
road or gutter.
2. CURB CUT-OUTS
1. Curb cut-outs should only be allowed when it will not obstruct a walkway
or in any way lessen the width of a walkway.
2. The minimum width of a curb cut-out should be 0.90 M.
3. Curb cut-outs should have a gradient not more than 1:12.
3. WALKWAYS AND PASSAGEWAYS
1. Walkways should be kept as level as possible and provided with slip-
resistant material.
2. Whenever and wherever possible, walkways should have a gradient no
more than 1:20 or 5%.
3. Walkways should have a maximum cross gradient of 1:100.
4. Walkways should have a minimum width of 1.20 meters.
5. If possible, gratings should never be located along walkways. When
occurring along walkways, grating openings should have a maximum
dimension of 13 mm x 13 mm and shall not project more than 6.5 mm
above the level of the walkway.
6. Walkways should have a continuing surface without abrupt pitches in
angle or interruptions by cracks or breaks creating edges above 6.50 mm.
7. In lengthy or busy walkways, spaces should be provided at some point
along the route so that a wheelchair may pass another or turn around.
These spaces should have a minimum dimension of 1.50 m and should
be spaced at a maximum distance of 12:00 m between stops.
8. To guide the blind, walkways should as much as possible follow
straightforward routes with right angle turns.
9. Where planting is provided adjacent to the walkway, regular maintenance
is essential to ensure branches of trees or shrubs do not overhang
walkways or paths, as not only do these present a particular danger to the
blind, but they also reduce the effective footways width available to
pedestrians generally.
10. Walkway headroom should not be less than 2.0 m and preferably higher.
11. Passageways for the disabled should not be obstructed by street
furniture, bollards, sign posts or columns along the defined route, as they
can be hazardous.

4. HANDRAILS
1. Handrails should be installed at both sides of ramps and stairs and at the
outer edges of dropped curbs. Handrails at dropped curbs should not be
installed beyond the width of any crossing so as not to obstruct
pedestrian flow.
2. Handrails shall be installed at 0.90 m and 0.70 m above steps or ramps.
Handrails for protection at great heights may be installed at 1.0 m to 1.06
m.
 3. A 0.30 m long extension of the handrail should be provided at the start
and end of ramps and stairs.
4. Handrails that require full grip should have a dimension of 30 mm to 50
mm.
5. Handrails attached to walls should have a clearance no less than 50 mm
from the wall. Handrails on ledges should have a clearance not less than
40 mm.
5. OPEN SPACES
1. Where open spaces are provided, the blind can become particularly
disoriented. Therefore, it is extremely helpful if any walkway or paths can
be given defined edges either by the use of planters with dwarf walls, or a
grass verge, or similar, which provides a texture different from the path.
6. SIGNAGES
1. Directional and informational sign should be located at points
conveniently seen even by a person on a wheelchair and those with
visual impairments;
2. Signs should be kept simple and easy to understand; signages should be
made of contrasting colors and contrasting gray matter to make detection
and reading easy;
3. The international symbol for access should be used to designate routes
and facilities that are accessible;
4. Should a sign protrude into a walkway or route, a minimum headroom of
2.0 meters should be provided;
5. Signs on walls and doors should be located at a maximum height of 1.60
M. and a minimum height of 1.40 meters. For signage on washroom
doors, see C. Section 8.6.
6. Signages labeling public rooms and places should have raised symbols,
letters or numbers with minimum height of 1 mm; braille symbols should
be included in signs indicating public places and safety routes;
7. CROSSINGS
1. In order to reduce the exposure time to vehicular traffic, all at grade
crossing should
1. Be as near perpendicular to the carriageway as possible.
2. Be located at the narrowest, most convenient part of the
carriageway.
3. Have central refuges of at least 1.5 m in depth and preferably 2 m,
provided as a midcrossing shelter, where the width of carriageway
to be crossed exceeds 10 m.
2. All crossings should be located close if not contiguous with the normal
pedestrian desire line.
3. Provide tactile blocks in the immediate vicinity of crossings as an aid to
the blind. The tactile surface has to be sufficiently high enough to be felt
through the sole of the shoe but low enough not to cause pedestrian to
trip, or to effect the mobility of wheelchair users. See details of
recommended pairing slabs below.
Note: Tactile strips formed from brushed or grooved concrete finishes
have not been proven successful as they do not provide sufficient
distinction from the normal footway surface and therefore should not be
used.
4. The most beneficial form of crossing as far as any disabled are
concerned is the light controlled crossing having pedestrian phases and
synchronized audible signals and should, wherever possible, be provided
in preference to other types of crossings as determined by the duly
authorized agency.
 5. The audible signal used for crossings should be easily distinguishable
from other sounds in the environment to prevent confusion to the blind. A
prolonged sound should be audible to warn the blind that the lights are
about to change. (Design of such a system shall be developed by the
Traffic Engineering Center.)
6. The flashing green period required for the disabled should be determined
on the basis of a walking speed of 0.90 m/sec. rather than 1.20 m/sec.
which is what is normally used. The minimum period for the steady green
(for pedestrians) should not be less than 6 seconds or the crossing
distance times 0.90 m/sec., whichever is the greatest.

B. PARKING
1. PARKING AREAS
1. Parking spaces for the disabled should allow enough space for a person
to transfer to a wheelchair from a vehicle;
2. Accessible parking spaces should be located as close as possible to
building entrances or to accessible entrances;
3. Whenever and wherever possible, accessible parking spaces should be
perpendicular or to an angle to the road or circulation aisles;
4. Accessible parking slots should have a minimum width of 3.70 m.;
5. A walkway from accessible spaces of 1.20 m. clear width shall be
provided between the front ends of parked cars;
6. Provide dropped curbs or curb cut-outs to the parking level where access
walkways are raised;
7. Pavement markings, signs or other means shall be provided to delineate
parking spaces for the handicapped;
8. Parking spaces for the disabled should never be located at ramped or
sloping areas;

C. INSIDE BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

1. ENTRANCES
1. Entrances should be accessible from arrival and departure points to the
interior lobby;
2. One (1) entrance level should be provided where elevators are
accessible;
3. In case entrances are not on the same level of the site arrival grade,
ramps should be provided as access to the entrance level;
4. Entrances with vestibules shall be provided a level area with at least a
1.80 m. depth and a 1.50 m. width;
5.
2. RAMPS
1. Changes in level require a ramp except when served by a dropped curb,
an elevator or other mechanical device;
2. Ramps shall have a minimum clear width of 1.20 m;
3. The maximum gradient shall be 1:12;
4. The length of a ramp should not exceed 6:00 m. if the gradient is 1:12;
longer ramps whose gradient is 1:12 shall be provided with landings not
less than 1.50 m.;
5. A level area not less than 1.80 m. should be provided at the top and
bottom of any ramp;
 6. Handrails will be provided on both sides of the ramp at 0.70 m. and 0.90
m. from the ramp level;
7. Ramps shall be equipped with curbs on both sides with a minimum height
of 0.10 m.;
8. Any ramp with a rise greater than 0.20 m. and leads down towards an
area where vehicular traffic is possible, should have a railing across the
full width of its lower end, not less than 1.80 meters from the foot of the
ramp;
3. DOORS
1. All doors shall have a minimum clear width of 0.80 m;
2. Clear openings shall be measured between the surface of the fully open
door at the hinge and the door jamb at the stop;
3. Doors should be operable by a pressure or force not more than 4.0 kg;
the closing device pressure an interior door shall not exceed 1 kg.;
4. A minimum clear level space of 1.50 m x 1.50 m shall be provided before
and extending beyond a door;
EXCEPTION: where a door shall open onto but not into a corridor, the
required clear, level space on the corridor side of the door may be a
minimum of 1.20 m. corridor width;
5. Protection should be provided from doors that swing into corridors;
6. Outswinging doors should be provided at storage rooms, closets and
accessible restroom stalls;
7. Latching or non-latching hardware should not require wrist action or fine
finger manipulation;
8. Doorknobs and other hardware should be located between 0.82 m. and
1.06 m. above the floor; 0.90 is preferred;
9. Vertical pull handles, centered at 1.06 m. above the floor, are preferred to
horizontal pull bars for swing doors or doors with locking devices;
10. Doors along major circulation routes should be provided with kick plates
made of durable materials at a height of 0.30 m. to 0.40 m;
4. THRESHOLDS
1. Thresholds shall be kept to a minimum; whenever necessary, thresholds
and sliding door tracks shall have a maximum height of 25 mm and
preferably ramped;
5. SWITCHES
1. Manual switches shall be positioned within 1.20 m to 1.30 m above the
floor;
2. Manual switches should be located no further than 0.20 from the latch
side of the door;
6. SIGNAGES
(See "SIGNAGES" under OUTSIDE & AROUND BUILDINGS.)

7. CORRIDORS
1. Corridors shall have minimum clear width of 1.20 m.; waiting areas and
other facilities or spaces shall not obstruct the minimum clearance
requirement;
2. Recesses or turnabout spaces should be provided for wheelchairs to turn
around or to enable another wheelchair to pass; these spaces shall have
a minimum area of 1.50 m x 1.50 m. and shall be spaced at a maximum
of 12.00 m.;
3. Turnabout spaces should also be provided at or within 3.50 m. of every
dead end;
 4. As in walkways, corridors should be maintained level and provided with a
slipresistant surface;
8. WASHROOMS & TOILETS
1. Accessible public washrooms and toilets shall permit easy passage of a
wheelchair and allow the occupant to enter a stall, close the door and
transfer to the water closet from either a frontal or lateral position;
2. Accessible water closet stalls shall have a minimum area of 1.70 x 1.80
mts. One movable grab bar and one fixed to the adjacent wall shall be
installed at the accessible water closet stall for lateral mounting; fixed
grab bars on both sides of the wall shall be installed for stalls for frontal
mounting;
3. A turning space of 2.25 sq.m. with a minimum dimension of 1.50 m. for
wheelchair shall be provided for water closet stalls for lateral mounting;
4. All accessible public toilets shall have accessories such as mirrors, paper
dispensers, towel racks and fittings such as faucets mounted at heights
reachable by a person in a wheelchair;
5. The minimum number of accessible water closets on each floor level or
on that part of a floor level accessible to the disabled shall be one (1)
where the total number of water closets per set on that level is 20; and
two (2) where the number of water closets exceed 20;
6. In order to aid visually impaired persons to readily determine whether a
washroom is for men or for women, the signage for men's washroom door
shall be an equilateral triangle with a vertex pointing upward, and those
for women shall be a circle; the edges of the triangle should be 0.30 m
long as should be the diameter of the circle; these signages should at
least be 7.5 mm thick; the color and gray value of the doors; the words
"men" and "women" or the appropriate stick figures should still appear on
the washroom doors for the convenience of the fully sighted;
Note: the totally blind could touch the edge of the signs and easily
determine whether it is straight or curved;
7. The maximum height of water closets should be 0.45 m.; flush control
should have a maximum height of 1.20 mts.
8. Maximum height of lavatories should be 0.80 m. with a knee recess of
0.60 - 0.70 M. vertical clearance and a 0.50 m. depth.
9. Urinals should have an elongated lip or through type; the maximum height
of the lip should be 0.48 m.

9. STAIRS
1. Tread surfaces should be a slip-resistant material; nosings may be
provided with slip-resistant strips to further minimize slipping:
2. Slanted nosings are preferred to projecting nosings so as not to pose
difficulty for people using crutches or braces whose feet have a tendency
to get caught in the recessed space or projecting nosings. For the same
reason, open stringers should be avoided.
3. The leading edge of each step on both runner and riser should be marked
with a paint or non-skid material that has a color and gray value which is
in high contrast to the gray value of the rest of the stairs; markings of this
 sort would be helpful to the visually impaired as well as to the fully sighted
person;
4. A tactile strip 0.30 m. wide shall be installed before hazardous areas such
as sudden changes in floor levels and at the top and bottom of stairs;
special care must be taken to ensure the proper mounting or adhesion of
tactile strips so as not to cause accidents;
10. ELEVATORS
1. Accessible elevators should be located not more than 30.00 m. from the
entrance and should be easy to locate with the aid of signs;
2. Accessible elevators shall have a minimum dimension of 1.10 m. x 1.40
m.;
3. Control panels and emergency system of accessible elevators shall be
within reach of a seated person; centerline heights for the topmost
buttons shall be between 0.90 m to 1.20 m from the floor;
4. Button controls shall be provided with braille signs to indicate floor level;
at each floor, at the door frames of elevator doors, braille-type signs shall
be placed so that blind persons can be able to discern what floor the
elevator car has stopped and from what level they are embarking from;
for installation heights, see Section 6.6, Signages;
5. Button sizes at elevator control panels shall have a minimum diameter of
20 mm and should have a maximum depression depth of 1 mm;

D. SAFETY
1. FENCING FOR ROADWORKS AND FOOTWORKS
All excavations, whether on the road or footway must be adequately protected,
i.e. fenced. Whatever the type of fencing used, it is important the railings should
incorporate the following features.
1. The height of the top of the rail should be at least 1.00 M. above the
adjacent surface.
2. The railing should incorporate a tapping rail to assist the blind, and this
should not be greater than 0.35 M. above adjacent surface.
3. The fence should be strong enough to offer resistance should a blind
person walk into it.
4. Gaps should not occur between adjoining fence lengths.
2. COVERS FOR EXCAVATIONS
1. Excavations in the footway or carriageway where pedestrians may walk
are covered over temporarily with properly constructed and supported
boards to provide a temporary path for pedestrians.
2. If the footway width will be reduced to less than 1.20 because of the
excavation, the temporary covering should extend across the whole of the
footway.
3. Minimum dimensions at obstructions
1. Effective width of footways past any obstruction should not be less
than 1.20 M.
2. If unavoidable, loose materials temporarily stored on footways
must be properly fenced and prevented from encroaching onto the
main footway by the use of a kickboard at least 0.20 M. high which
will also serve as a tapping board for the blind.
3. SIGNAGE FOR ROADWORKS ON THE CARRIAGEWAY
1. Temporary signs used to warn of roadworks should be carefully located
and should not cause any inconveniences to pedestrians, particularly the
disabled.
 1. Signs should be located on verges or similar whenever these are
available.
2. Signs should not reduce the available footway width to less than
1.20 M.
4. LOCATION OF EMERGENCY EXIT
1. Wall mounted or free standing tablets with an embossed plan
configuration of the building which also shows the location of the lobby,
washrooms and emergency exits of the building (indicated by different
textures with corresponding meanings) should be provided either in front
of the building or at the main lobby. The markings of this tablet should be
readable by both the fully sighted and the blind persons.
2. Flashing light directional signs indicating the location(s) of fire exit shall
be provided at every change in direction with sufficient power provided in
accordance with the provisions for emergency lighting under Section
3.410 of P.D. NO. 1185 (The Fire Code of the Philippines).
5. AUDIBLE AND VISIBLE ALARM SYSTEM
1. Audio-visual alarm systems shall be provided in all fire sections, as
defined under P.D. NO. 1185 otherwise known as The Fire Code of the
Philippines, of buildings in accordance with the guidelines provided under
Section 3.503 of the same.
2. For buildings of residential occupancies, i.e. Groups A and B, as defined
under Section 701, of Chapter 7 of P.D. NO. 1096 otherwise known as
the "The National Building Code of the Philippines", the provision of
"VIBRA-ALARMS" for all occupants who are either deaf or hearing-
impaired shall be compulsory.

Rule III: Specific Requirements for Buildings and Related Structures

for Public Use

1. CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDING BY USE OF OCCUPANCY:

1. Occupancy classified by categories enumerated in Section 701 of the National
Building Code (PD 1096) are hereby adapted
1. Category I - Residential -This shall comprise Group A and partly Group B
Buildings
2. Category II - Commercial and Industrial -This shall comprise partly
Groups B, C, E, F, G, H, and I Buildings
3. Category III - Educational and Industrial - This shall comprise partly
Group C, D, E, and H Buildings
 4. Category IV - Agricultural - This shall comprise partly Group J Buildings.
5. Category V - Ancillary - This shall comprise partly Group J Buildings
2. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES AND FACILITIES:
Where the following features and facilities are: architectural design requirements in
accordance with generally accepted architectural practice, the same include the
corresponding graphic signs.
1. Architectural facilities and features:

1. Stairs
2. Walkways
3. Corridors
4. Doors and Entrances
5. Washrooms and Toilets
6. Lifts/Elevators
7. Ramps
8. Parking Areas
9. Switches, Controls, Buzzers
10. Handrails
11. Thresholds
12. Floor Finishes
13. M Drinking Fountains
14. N Public Telephones
15. O Seating Accommodations
B. CATEGORY I
The following requirements shall only apply to government-owned buildings.
1. Group A

1. Single detached. Ten percent (10%) of the total units to be constructed.

Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
and L.
2. Duplexes: Ten percent (10%) of the total units to be constructed. Barrier-
free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, and L.
3. School or company staff housing units: One (1) unit for 26 to 50 units to
be constructed and 1 additional unit for every 100 units thereafter.
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
and L.
2. Group B
1. Multiple dwelling units or high-rise residential condominiums or tenement
houses.
One (1) unit from 26 up to 50 units to be constructed and an additional
unit for every 100 units thereafter, with all such units at ingress level in
case there is not barrier-free elevator provided.
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, and M.
2. CATEGORY II
The following requirements shall apply to both government and privately-owned
buildings.
1. Group B
1. Accessories, tenement houses and/or row houses, apartment houses
and/or town houses. One (1) unit for every 50 units up to 150 units and an
additional unit for every 100 units thereafter.
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
and L.
 2. Hotels, motels, inns, pension houses and/or apartels. One (1) unit per
every 50 units up to 150 units and an additional unit for every 100 units at
ingress level. In case there is no barrier-free elevators: at least one (1)
unit shall be provided at ingress level.
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, and N.
3. Private or "off campus" Dormitories: One (1) unit per every 50 units up to
150 units and an additional dwelling unit for every 100 units thereafter at
ingress level.
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, M, and N.
2. Group C
1. Amusement Halls and Parlor
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, N and O.
2. Massage and Sauna Parlors
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, and M.
3. Group E-1
1. Train Stations and Terminals
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, N and O.
2. Bus depots and terminals
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, N and O.
3. Transportation Office
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, N and O.
4. Airport terminal buildings, heliports
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, N and O.
5. Ports and harbor facilities, landing piers, sheds, ferry landing stations
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, N and O.
4. Group E-2
1. General wholesale and retail stores
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, and N.
2. Shopping centers and supermarkets and public markets
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, and N.
3. Restaurants, dining and drinking establishments
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, and N.
4. Office Buildings
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, and N.
5. Financial Institutions
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, and N.
6. Funeral parlors, morgues and crematories
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, N, and O.
 7. Memorial and Mortuary Chapels
Barrier-free facilities and features required in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, N, and O.
5. Group H-1, Group H-4, and Group I
1. Theaters, Auditoriums and Convention Halls
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L,
M, N, and O.
2. Concert Halls and Opera Houses
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L,
M, N, and O.
3. Colisea and Sports Complexes and Stadiums
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L,
M, N, and O.
6. Group F
1. Dairies and Creameries
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
2. Factories and workshops using incombustible or non-explosive materials
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
3. Breweries bottling plants, canneries and tanneries
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
7. Groups G-3
1. Wood working establishments, lumber and timber yards.
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
2. Pulp, paper and paper board factories
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
3. Textile and fiber spinning mills
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
4. Garment and undergarment factories
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.

3. CATEGORY III
1. Group C
1. Educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities, vocational
schools, seminaries and novitiates), including school auditoriums,
gymnasia, reviewing stands, little theaters and concert halls.
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L,
M, N, and O.
2. Libraries, museums, exhibition halls and art galleries
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L,
M, N, and O.
3. Civil Centers
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L,
M, N, and O.
 4. Clubhouses lodges
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L,
M, N, and O.
2. Group D-1
1. Mental hospitals, mental sanitaria, mental asylums
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
2. Jails, prisons, reformatories, correctional institutions
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
3. Rehabilitation Centers
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
4. Leprosaria
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
3. Group D-2
1. Homes for the Aged
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
2. Hospitals and Sanitaria
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
4. Group D-3
1. Nursing Homes for ambulatory patients
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
2. Orphanages
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
5. Group E-7
1. Police and fire stations
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, and M.
6. Group H
1. Churches, temples, chapels and similar places of worship
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K,
L, M, and O.

4. CATEGORY IV
1. Agricultural buildings
Barrier-free facilities and features required in: A, B, C, D, G, H, I, J, K, and L.

5. STANDARD OF ACCESSIBILITY FOR SPECIAL TYPE OF FACILITIES

1. The provision of this section shall apply to the specified type of facilities and
identified specific requirements for accessibility and usability which shall be
provided for each of the listed occupancy uses.
1. Auditoriums, assembly halls, theaters, and related facilities:
1. Seating for the disabled shall be accessible from the main lobby to
primary entrances, together with related toilet facilities.
 2. In all assembly places where seating accommodation is provided,
there shall be spaces for the disabled persons as provided.

Seating Capacity Wheelchair Seating Space

4 - 50 2
51 - 300 4
301 - 500 6

3. When the seating capacity exceeds 500 an additional wheelchair

seating space shall be provided for each total seating capacity
increase of 100 seats
4. Readily removable seats may be installed in these spaces when
such spaces are not required to accommodate wheelchair users.

6. COMPUTATION OF ACCESSIBLE UNITS

In the computation for the allocation of accessible units and seating capacity decimal
greater than 0.5 shall be considered as one unit. In all cases a minimum of one (1)
accessible unit shall be provided.

7. APPLICATION OF BARRIER-FREE FACILITIES AND FEATURES

1. Graphic signs shall be bold and conspicuously installed in every access from
point of entry to connecting destination.
2. Walkways shall be provided with adequate passageway in accordance with the
provision.
3. Width of corridors and circulation system integrating both and vertical access to
ingress/egress level of the building shall be provided.
4. Doors and entrances provided herein used as entry points at entrance lobbies as
local points of congregation shall be designed to open easily or accessible from
floor to floor or to any point of destination.
5. Washroom and toilets shall be accessible and provided with adequate turning
space.
6. Whenever elevator/s is required it should meet the requirements provided.
7. Ramps shall be provided as means of access to level of change going to entry
points and entrances, lobbies influenced by condition of location or use.
8. Parking areas shall be provided with sufficient space for the disabled persons to
allow easy transfer from carpark to ingress/egress levels.
9. Height above the floor of switches and controls shall be in accordance with the
provisions.
10. Handrails shall be provided at both sides of ramps.
11. Floors provided for every route of the wheelchair shall be made of non-skid
material.

Water fountains shall be installed as required.

(Refer to Appendix A for the illustrations of Rules II and III complementing Rule II of the
previous implementing rules and regulations).

Rule V - Administration and Enforcement

1. Responsibility for Administration and Enforcement

The administration and enforcement of the provision of these Rules and Regulations
 shall be vested in the Secretary of Public Works and Highways and the Secretary of
Transportation and Communications, in accordance with the functions and jurisdiction of
their respective Departments as provided for by laws as follows.
1. The Secretary through the Heads of attached agencies of the Department of
Public Works and Highways, with the technical assistance of the Building
Research Development Staff, shall administer and enforce the provisions of
these Rules and Regulations through the City/Municipal Engineer who shall also
act as Local Building Official pursuant to Section 477 of R.A. 7160, otherwise
known as the Local Government Code of 1991 and as applied to the following:
1. Buildings and related structures including public transport terminals
2. Streets and Highways
2. The Secretary of Transportation and Communications shall administer and
enforce the provisions of these Rules and Regulations through the Heads of Line
and Attached Agencies of the Department as follows:
1. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board - In respect to the
issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) and Provisional
Authority (PA) for the operation of public road transportation utilities or
services.
2. Land Transportation Office - In respect to the registration of buses and
jeepneys and enforcement of regulations related to land transport
3. Philippine National Railways and the Light Rail Transit Authority For the
operation of passenger trains and including stations and terminals
4. Maritime Industry Authority - In respect to the development, promotion,
and regulation of all enterprises engaged in business of designing,
constructing, manufacturing, acquiring, operating, supplying, repairing
and/or maintaining vessels or components thereof; of managing and/or
operating shipping lines, shipyards, dry docks, marine railway, marine
repair shops, shipping and freight forwarding agencies and similar
enterprises; issuance of license to all water transport vessels.
5. Philippine Ports Authority - In respect to the planning, development,
financing, construction, maintenance and operation of ports, port facilities,
port physical plants, and all equipment used in connection with the
operation of a port.
6. Civil Aeronautics Board - In respect to the supervision and regulation of,
the jurisdiction and control over air carriers, general sales agents, cargo
sales agents and air freight forwarders, and issuance of
certificates/licenses to aircrafts.
7. Air Transportation Office - In respect to the maintenance, operation and
development, of all government airports (other than the NAIA, Mactan
International Airport) as well as air navigation facilities (excluding
meteorology).
2. Criminal Liability
As stipulated in Section 46 of R.A. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for
Disabled Persons (a), any person who violates any provision of the rules and regulations
of this Act shall suffer the following penalties:
1. for the first violation, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but
not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of
not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both at the
discretion of the court; and
2. for any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) but not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years, or
both at the discretion of the court.
 3. Any person who abuses; the privileges granted herein shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months or a fine of not less than Five
thousand pesos (5,000.00) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00),
or both, at the discretion of the court.
4. If the violator is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, the officials
thereof directly involved shall be liable therefor.
5. If the violator is an alien or a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after
service of sentence without further deportation proceedings.

Persons/Individuals Liable for any Violation of the Act 

For Buildings/Establishment/Structure

1. Owner or Operator of the Building, Establishment or Structure

2. Contractor
3. Architect
4. Engineer
5. Building Official or Other Public Official in-charge with the issuance of building permit,
registration, certification and/or inspection of the building, establishment or structure

For Air, Land and Sea Transportation

1. Owner/Operator of Public Transportation

2. Body Builders
3. Safety Officers/Engineers/Managers
4. Drivers/Conductors/Conductresses
5. Public Official in-charge with the issuance of permits, registration, certification and
inspection of the public transportation

EFFECTIVITY
These Rules shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
Promulgated by:

GENERAL TERMINOLOGY

Shall – For use in the amendments, shall is used to denote a mandatory specification
or requirement.

Should – For use in the amendments, should is used to express obligation or duty.
This denotes an advisory specification or recommendation.

May – Denotes an option or alternative.

In compliance should be used in all the statements and not in accordance.

For consistency of all measurements used in the amendments mm (millimeters) be

used for measurement below 1 meter. For 10 m and above m (meter) should be
used.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Accessible – A site, building, facility, interconnection or any portion of the built

environment that can be approached, entered and used by persons with disabilities;
refers to features that enable persons with disabilities to make use of the primary
functions for which a building/structure is built.

Access Aisle – Clear circulation route bounded by moveable furniture that can be
negotiated safely by persons with disabilities

Accessible Design – Creating environments that are approachable and useable by

people with disabilities; Unhindered, without obstructions to enable persons with
disabilities free passage or use of the facilities.

Accessible Parking – Parking spaces which are useable by persons with disabilities.

Accessible Route – A continuous, unobstructed path connecting all accessible

elements and spaces of a building/structure or facility that can be negotiated safely by
persons with disabilities. Accessible routes shall not incorporate any step, drop,
stairway, turnstile, revolving door, escalator or other impediment which would prevent
it from being safely negotiated by persons with disabilities. Interior accessible routes
shall include doorways, corridors, floors, ramps, lifts and clear floor spaces at fixtures.
Exterior accessible routes shall include parking access aisles, ramps, and walkways.

Accessible Route Plan – Plans showing the accessible routes to the building from
adjacent buildings and nearest public facilities as well as accessible routes within the
building.

52
Alcove – A small recessed space in a room or wall.

Ambulant Person With Disability – A person who is able, either with or without
personal assistance, and who may depend on prostheses (artificial limbs), orthoses
(calipers), sticks, crutches or walking aids, to walk on level or negotiated suitably
graded steps provided that convenient handrails are available.

Anthropometrics – Pertaining to the measurement of the human body.

Area of Refuge – An area which has direct access to an exit, separated from the
general floor area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating at least equal to
that required for an exit that is smoke protected and served by an exit or a fireman’s
elevator. It is an area where persons with disabilities who are unable to use stairs may
remain temporarily in safety to await further instructions or assistance during
emergency evacuation. It should have a minimum space of 850 X 1200 mm per non-
ambulant person with disability, with a minimum of 2 spaces.

Bollard – A low post used to segregate a pedestrian path from vehicular traffic.

Building – As used in this amended IRR, the term “building” is used to denote public
and privately owned buildings and other related structures for public use.

Clear – Unobstructed

Clear Floor Space – The minimum unobstructed floor or ground space required to
accommodate a single wheelchair user.

Corridor – A passageway providing access to several rooms or spaces to an exit.

Curb – A raised rim of concrete, stone or metal which forms the edge of a street,
sidewalk, ramp, planted area, etc.; Side barrier to a trafficable surface.

Curb Ramp – A break in the sidewalk or traffic island provided with an inclined surface
to facilitate mobility of persons with disability; sloped area cut into a curb. Short ramp
cutting through a curb or built up to it.

Door – An entranceway which swings, slides, or folds to close an opening in a wall or

the like.

Dropped sidewalks – the lower portion of the sidewalk adjacent to at least one
accessible ramp and the street gutter.

Egress – An exit, or a means of going out.

Elevator – A hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car or platform which
moves in guides, in a vertical direction serving two or more floors of a building or
structure.

53
( July 10, 2013 Draft )
 Entrance – Any access
point to a building or
facility used for the
purpose of entering; An
entrance includes the
approach walk, the
vertical access leading to
the entrance platform, the
entrance platform itself,
vestibules if provided, the
entry door(s) or gate(s),
and the hardware of the
entry door(s) or gate(s).

Facility – All or any portion of buildings, structures, site improvements, complexes,

equipment, roads, walks, passageways, parking lots, or other real or personal property
located on a site.

Flare – A sloped surface that flanks a curb ramp and provides a graded transition
between the ramp and the sidewalk. Flares bridge differences in elevation and are
intended to prevent ambulant persons with disabilities from tripping. Flares are not
considered part of the accessible route.

Floor – The surface within a room or area on which one walks.

Grab Bar – Graspable bar used to give a steadying or stabilizing assistance to a person
engaged in a particular function.

Gradient of Ramp - The degree of inclination of the sloped surface expressed as a

percentage or ratio.

Graphic Sign – A drawing, painting, diagram, engraving, etching or other similar

illustrations which from a single glance conveys a given message; a visual aid.

Guard – Protective barrier to prevent accidental falls at openings in floors and at the
open sides of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines and ramps. Handrail supports
often act as guards.

Handrail – A rail used in circulation areas such as corridors, passageways, ramps and
stairways to assist in continuous movement; A hand support along a stairway or ramp
consisting of rails their supporting posts, balusters or pillars and constituting an
enclosure or a line of division.

Height Above Floor – Distance between two points aligned vertically with one of the
points on the floor.

Individual Washroom – A compartment having the basic requirements of a water

closet compartment, wash basin and other essential washroom accessories as required
by persons with disabilities.

Ingress – an entrance or a means of going in

Infrared System – Specialized sound system that converts sound into infrared light;
the lights is reconverted into sound by a portable receiver.

Luminance Contrast – Occurs when there is not only a contrast in color between a
surface and its background, but there is a luminance factor to the surface which
 54
( July 10, 2013 Draft )
 provides a slightly
reflective quality, further
highlighting an area from
the background.

Multiple Leaf Doors – Two or more doors separated only by a door frame. Each door
is called a leaf.

Nosing – Overhanging edge of a stair tread, usually half rounded.

Obstacle – An object that limits the vertical passage space, protrudes into the
circulation route, or reduces the clearance width of a sidewalk or trail.

Operable Part – Pat of a piece of equipment or appliance used to insert or withdraw

objects or to activate, deactivate, or adjust the equipment or appliance (for example,
coin slot, push-button, handle).

Parking Area – Allocated space composed of marked-off portions for single motor
vehicles on a short-time storage basis.

Passageway or Passage – A space connecting one area or room of a building with

another.

Pedestrian Crossing – Part of a road where pedestrians going across the road have
priority over traffic.

Persons with Disabilities – Those suffering from restriction or lack of ability to

perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human
being as a result of a mental, physical, or sensory impairment; Persons whose mobility
and use of a building are affected as a consequence of one or more of the following
physical or sensory disabilities or impairments:

(a) ambulant disabled;

(b) wheelchair-bound;
(c) hearing impairment or deafness; or
(d) visual impairment or blindness.

Persons with Disabilities – include those who have long-term physical, mental,
intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder
their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. (UN-CRPD).

Place of public resort – A building or a defined or enclosed place used to constructed

or adapted to be used ether ordinarily or occasionally as a church, chapel, mosque,
temple or other place where public worship is or religious ceremonies are performed,
not being merely a dwelling house so used, or as a community club, country club, or as
a cinema, theatre, public exhibition/concert/lecture hall, public ballroom, museum,
stadium or as a public race of assembly for persons admitted thereto by ticket or
otherwise or used or

55
( July 10, 2013 Draft )
 constructed or adapted to
be used either ordinarily
or occasionally for any
other public purpose.

Principal Entrance – An entrance used most frequently by the public and building
occupants.

Public Use – Describes interior or exterior rooms or spaces that are made available to
the general public. Public use may be provided at a building or facility that is privately
or publicly owned.

Public Telephones – A shelf-unit telephone with coin operating functions for the use
of the public.

Ramp– Any slope grater than 1:20 (5%); An inclined way connecting one level to
another; A sloped surface connecting two or more planes at different levels.

Riser – Vertical portion of a step.

Run – Horizontal distance of a stair or ramp.

Roll-in Shower – To be used while staying in a wheelchair, standing, or sitting (by

adding a seat to the shower stall).

Sidewalk – A paved footwalk at the side of a street or roadway.

Signage – Displayed verbal, symbolic, tactile, and pictorial information.

Site – A parcel of land bounded by a property line or a designated portion of a public

right-of-way.

Slip Resistant Material – Slip resistant materials shall have a Coefficient of Friction of
0.6 for level surfaces and 0.8 for sloping surfaces (American Society for Testing and
Materials). Coefficient of friction values are used to measure the slip resistance of any
surface. This can be called slip coefficient or coefficient of friction testing. This is
defined as a measure of the amount of resistance that a surface exerts on or
substances moving over it, equal to the ratio between the maximal frictional force that
the surface exerts and the force pushing the object toward the surface.

Slope – The slope of a ramp is expressed as the height to the length (i.e 1:16 indicates
for each 1 m in height, there is 16 m in length).

Space – A definable area i.e. room, toilet, hall, assembly area, entrance, storage room,
alcove, courtyard, or lobby.

Symbol – The International Symbol of Access for persons with disabilities.

Tactile – Describes an object that can be perceived using the sense of touch.
56
( July 10, 2013 Draft )
Tactile Warning – A change in surface condition that provides a tactile cue to alert
pedestrians of a hazardous situation.

Tactile Signs – Signs having raised letters which are interpreted or read by tracing
with fingers over the surfaces.

Tactile Blocks – Textured floor finishes also known as truncated floor finishes,
detectable warning devices, blistered surfaces that can be used as non-skid materials.
Referred to as warning, positional, and directional blocks to warn visually impaired
persons of danger or indicate facilities beside, or an indicator to make a turn in
direction.

Terminal – Passenger and freight loading/unloading spaces and ancillary spaces (such
as parking slots, waiting areas, driveways connecting such spaces, access systems, etc.)
for use by public motor vehicles.

Threshold – A strip fastened to the floor beneath a door, usually required to cover the
joint where two types of floor materials meet; may provide weather protection at
exterior doors.

Toilet – A room containing various toilet compartments with at least one wall-hung
lavatory and one water closet compartment.

Toilet Stall – a small enclosed private area for washing or using a toilet.

Transient Lodging – A building, facility, or portion thereof that contains sleeping

accommodations that may include resorts, group homes, hotels, motels, and
dormitories.

Truncated Domes – Small domes with flattened tops that are used as tactile
detectable warning indicators at transit platforms, vertical drops and curb edges.

Universal Design – The design of products and environments to be used by all

people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized
design. Concept used to create environments that respond to the widest range of the
population possible.

Vestibule – A small entranceway or transitional space fort eh exterior to the interior of

a building and opens into a larger space.

Visual Warnings – The use of contrasting surface colours to indicate a change in

environment, such as at a curb ramp where the sidewalk changes to the street.

Walk – An exterior pathway with a prepared surface intended for pedestrian use.

Walkway – An exterior passage for walking along, especially one connecting adjoining
buildings and related structures.
57
( July 10, 2013 Draft )
Warning Tactile Blocks – A standardized tactile surface feature built in or applied to
walking surfaces or other elements to warn visually impaired people of upcoming
hazards. (Often a paver insert composed of tactile raised truncated domes, applied
perpendicular to the hazard.)

Washroom – A room providing facilities for washing; a lavatory or toilet room.

Water Closet – A room or booth containing a toilet and often a washbowl.

Water Closet Compartment – A compartment having a water closet with grab bars
installed to assist persons with disabilities.

Water Fountain – A fixture consisting of a shallow basin, together with a water jet
designated to provide potable water for human consumption.

Wayfinding – Finding one’s way to a destination.

Wheelchair User – A person with disability who depends on a wheelchair for mobility;
A person with disability who is not able to walk on level or suitably graded steps.

Width – The clear distance from on finished surface to another.

Width of Corridor – The linear width of the unobstructed path in corridors

Winder – Tread wider at one end that the other, as in circular stairs.